by U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking
Brighton, MI – Girls and women are often the targets of human trafficking. However, beneath the surface, men and boys often go unseen and are underserved when it comes to this crime.
Every year, thousands of boys and men fall victim to this abhorrent crime. Traffickers will prey on the vulnerabilities of victims such as homelessness and poverty.
Once male victims escape their situation, limited resources make the road to recovery even more difficult. U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking is looking to bridge the gap and help them on their healing journey with the first Wellness Weekend, Dec. 9-11, for male survivors of human trafficking.
USCSAHT has joined forces with Sisters of Mercy, the SOAP Project, and Felician Services Inc. to provide hope and healing to those victimized by this heinous crime. USCSAHT Program Director Theresa Flores, Lived Expert and Founder of SOAP, said it is believed that males make up 20-30% of all victims of trafficking in the U.S.
“Once a survivor is no longer being trafficked, his trauma doesn't end there,” Flores said. “It takes a lifetime of hard work to heal the scars and become thrivers.”
The Wellness Weekend will offer educational classes, therapeutic sessions, and personal care opportunities, along with a safe and supportive community.
Donations needed to make the weekend successful include airfare, journals, bibles, prayer cards, cards of encouragement, fleece blankets, gas cards, etc. In addition, male volunteers are needed to teach a class, hold a session or provide a service during the retreat.
To find out more information on how to attend as a survivor, volunteer, or donate, email theresa@sistersagainsttrafficking.org or visit sistersagainsttrafficking.org.
USCSAHT was founded in 2013 by a group of Catholic Sisters committed to ending human trafficking and supporting survivors. They dreamed of creating a national network of resources and support made up of many different congregations and other mission-aligned partners. Today, this member-based organization has grown to include more than 110 congregations of women religious and another 70+ individuals and groups spread throughout the United States. USCSAHT is also the U.S. member of Talitha Kum, an international network of consecrated life working to end human trafficking.